Peptides have been around for awhile, naturally occurring in the body as 3 amino acids linked together. When these amino acids have bonded with a copper enzyme, they create Copper Tripeptide-1 or GHK-Cu. Science has shown GHK-Cu to have many beneficial effects for the skin from smoothing rough skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles, to repairing protective skin barriers, and tightening loose skin. But they also have been shown to help improve and promote hair growth and slow hair loss. That’s why you can find them in products used in dermabrasion or as OTC topicals. However, with most of these products, they do not penetrate deep enough not the scalp to get any noticeable effect.
At Kanosky Mississippi Hair Restoration, we use a deeper, microneedling procedure to get the best results with copper peptides. The microneedling process uses tiny pinpricks to allow the GHK-Cu serum to deeply penetrate into the surface of your scalp, right where your hair follicles are, so you get the maximum effect. This is less invasive than injection therapy and the tiny pinpricks close after approx. 60 minutes.
The beneficial properties of GHK-Cu have also shown to help improve hair transplant results, making them a great additional treatment after FUE procedures. At your next appointment, ask Dr. Kanosky if Copper Peptides would be an advantageous addition for your hair regrowth goals.
How It Works
Copper peptides decrease DHT (dihydrotestosterone,) the hormone that has been shown to slow the growth of hair and is one of the leading causes of hair loss in BOTH men and women. As you age, the body produces more DHT. Normally, the DHT is converted from testosterone by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. Copper peptides obstruct this enzyme, blocking the process of production of DHT and further hair loss or thinning.
Copper peptides also have anti-inflammatory properties. An autoimmune response can trigger not only hair loss but inflammation and that damage can be swiftly repaired with the presence of GHK-Cu.
The Benefits of GHK-Cu
Proven To Increase Blood Flow To The Scalp
At the root, healthy hair and hair growth is tied into your body’s need of oxygen, like all the organs in your body. More blood flow means more oxygen. If our hair follicles lack O2, then the follicles can’t thrive and grow. As we age our circulation can deteriorate in the capillaries, especially in the scalp. Copper peptides (GHK-Cu) assist in angiogenesis, the process that new blood vessels can be produced from the old ones, and thus increasing the flow of oxygen.
Increases Both Elastin and Collagen
We already have learned that Copper Peptides are good for the skin due to their assistance with increasing blood circulation. They have also been shown to encourage the body’s production of collagen and elastin, the structural proteins that can be found in connective tissue. In addition, we now know they also increase fat cells on the scalp. That’s right folks–now there’s a place where you want the fat to go! Studies at Yale University have shown that an increase of fat cells on the scalp may significantly increase the growth of hair as it also strengthens hair follicles.
Increases Hair Follicle Size & Inhibits Follicle Death
GHK-Cu can play a significant role with regenerating growth of new hair and aids you existing hair look and feel healthier and thicker by increasing the size of existing hair follicles.
Prolongs the Hair’s Growth Cycle
Hair growth occurs with three growth phases. (You can find the definitions of these on our FAQ and Glossary page.) The Anagen phase is where the growth happens and usually lasts anywhere from 3 to 5 years. Most of our hair is in this phase at any given time.
Copper peptides have been shown to not only trigger the Anagen Phase in hair follicles, but extend it. The result is new hair growth that lasts longer and is stronger than before.
